Agenda and minutes

Apologies were recorded on behalf of Alderman Sandford and Councillors Armitage and O’Donnell.

            The minutes of the meeting of 5th June were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 2nd July with the following amendment - “That the decision of the People and Communities Committee of 5th June, to defer consideration of the matter, under the heading “Temporary Structure at Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park”, being rejected and accordingly the Council agreed to accede to the request to provide a temporary structure, subject to the terms and conditions as detailed within the report.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting Ms. S. McCauley (Director of Regional Services), Mrs. J. Hawthorne (Belfast Regional Manager) and Ms. F. McGrath (Programme Manager), representing the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

            Ms. McCauley introduced the members of her team and indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to notify the Council of its past year’s performance and next year’s proposals. She pointed out that, whilst the NIHE was required by statute to present to the Council, officers very much looked forward, in 2018/19, to developing further relationships with councils and other stakeholders.  She advised that the NIHE recognised the important role of the Council and stated that the Local Development Plans (LDPs) would help to provide long-term strategies to support economic and social progress and assist in the delivery of Community Plans.

            Ms. McCauley then provided the Members with a presentation on the Housing Investment Plan (HIP) for Belfast. She explained that the HIP was a four-year plan with an annual update in the intervening years, this being the third and final annual update as a new plan would be produced in 2019.  She added that in future years it was intended that the HIP would reflect the Community Planning priorities.  She advised that the current HIP provided an update on the progress of the Housing Executive and other agencies to achieve the intended outcomes, this included an overview of the housing market in Belfast, including details regarding social housing investment at a local level.  She summarised further the five themes as contained within the presentation:

·     to identify and meet housing need and demand;

·     to improve people’s homes;

·     to transform people’s lives;

·     to enable sustainable neighbourhoods; and

·     to deliver quality services.

            She then proceeded to outline the key housing issues that had been identified for Belfast, as follows:

·        an ageing population;

·        a slight decrease in waiting list, higher proportion in housing stress  10,136 total applicants – 7,336 in housing stress;

·        Increasing homelessness -

5879 households presented as homeless

3940 (67%) accepted as homeless (20% increase);

·        468 new social homes completed 2017/18; 

·        424 new social homes started in 2017/18;

·        484 new social housing units programmed 2018/19;

·        City centre developments and affordable housing;

·        land availability;

·        delivery through the Local Development Plan;

·        increase in private rented sector; and

·        total Housing Executive stock - 25,761 units.

            The Committee noted the future housing themes that had been identified by the NIHE as follows:

·        to identify new housing requirements;

·        to increase the supply of affordable renting to meet the needs of communities;

·        to assist home ownership;

·        to improve the quality of the housing stock;

·        to develop low carbon homes and reduce fuel poverty;

·        to provide suitable accommodation and support services for vulnerable residents;

·        to ensure that homelessness was prevented or addressed effectively;

·        to regenerate neighbourhoods;

·        to create safer and cohesive communities; and 

·        to deliver better services.

            Following a query in respect of shared housing, Mrs. Hawthorne advised that the NIHE would continue to facilitate and encourage mixed housing schemes, as far as this was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2a

            The Committee was updated in respect of the financial position of the People and Communities Committee for Quarter 4, which confirmed an under spend of £848k for that period.  This represented 1.1% of the budget which was well within the acceptable variance limit of 3%.

            The Committee noted that the current under spends related to vacant posts across a number of services and the receipt of additional income from grants and growth.

            The report detailed that the year-end departmental position for the Council was an under-spend of £435,514 (0.3%).  The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had, at its meeting held on 22nd June, agreed to allocate £406k of this to fund area-based festivals, with the remaining balance to transfer to general reserves.

            The Committee noted the year-end financial position. 

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek approval from Members to provide core funding to the Belfast Hills Partnership (BHP) and Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP) in 2018/19.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1      It is recommended that the Committee:

·        Note the contents of the report;

·        Approve annual funding of £36,900 to the BHP and £41,055 to LVRP in 2018/19, subject to the relevant funding agreements being updated as per existing revenue budgets.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Belfast Hills Partnership

            The BHP brings together a divergent range of partners from local government, environmental groups, quarry and farming representatives and local communities with the joint aim of protecting this valuable resource on the perimeter of North and West Belfast.  The Council has supported BHP since its inception in 2003/4 and the Parks & Leisure Committee at its meeting on 14 April 2011, approved its annual funding of £36,900.  Provision has been made in revenue budgets at this level since then.

3.2       This partnership has in turn generated much needed investment in the landscape and infrastructure within our parks.  This ranged from the construction of new paths in Ligoniel and Cave Hill Country Park and an orienteering course in Belfast Castle Estate to heritage interpretation, visitor counters, habitat mapping and numerous events. 

3.3       During 2018/19, BHP will undertake a number of actions including:

·        Undertake surveys for priority and protected species between April and October 2018;

·        Undertake surveys for priority habitats between May and September 2018;

·        Monitor wildfires and their severity, primarily in Cave Hill Country Park;

·        Liaise with Park Managers in the preparation of habitat management plans and work with Volunteers on habitat management or creation projects for priority species and  priority habitats;

·        Provide senior management and support for the Landscape Partnership Scheme project and the Belfast Hills’ projects of ‘Our Environment Our Future’ and Wildfire Connections;

·        Continue to monitor and control invasive terrestrial and aquatic alien species as agreed with the Community Park Managers; and

·        Raise awareness and promotion of the Belfast Hills through events, talks, leaflets and website

3.4       Lagan Valley Regional Partnership

            The LVRP is a partnership between Belfast City Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the Department of Communities and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).  Belfast City Council has funded LVRP since its inception in 1967 and, along with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, are its main funders.  The People & Communities Committee at its meeting on 12 May 2015, approved funding of £41,055 for 2015/16 and provision has been made in revenue budgets at this level since then.  The NIEA provides funding to LVRP but at a reduced level and there remains uncertainty around central government funding.  As LVRP remains heavily dependent on funding from both Councils, a consultant has been commissioned to identify and secure external funding to ensure its sustainability.  Belfast City Council has recently been approached seeking a review to increase funding for 2019/2020.  Officers will meet with Lisburn & Castlereagh City  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

The Committee approved:

·        the naming in respect of Broadway Link, off Broadway, BT12 and Red Hall Lane, off Circular Road, BT4; and

·        the proposed continuation of existing roads namely Buttermilk Loney, off Ballysillan Park, BT14 and Glenmachan Park, off Glenmachan Road, BT4

The Committee approved the applications to erect second nameplates in Irish at Forfar Way, Forfar Lane, Millennium Way, Killeen Park, Errigal Park, Comber Gardens and Strand Walk.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       Members will be aware that in 2012, Council adopted the Holyland and Wider University Area Strategic Study. The recommendations ofthe study were two-fold:

·        To grow Belfast’s reputation as a Learning City and destination ofchoice for students requires a city-wide strategy forstudent housing that will promote choice and fit-for-purpose accommodation.

·        To restore the Holyland by gradually reintroducing affordable, single household accommodation and improving the quality ofthe environment, whilst working towards developing a new approach tomanaging the area.

1.2       An Action Plan to progress these recommendations was presented with the final Strategic Study Report. Subsequent update reports have been presented to Committee, which have provided Members with progress achieved in relation to the recommendations.   

1.3       In summary, the short and medium term recommendations within the Strategic Study have been implemented. The longer term recommendations have been incorporated into Council’s long term (10-15 years) strategies, which are being progressed via the Local Development Plan and the Belfast Agenda. The Local Development Plan’s strategic theme of ‘shaping a liveable place’ promotes development to enhance the health and wellbeing of communities, neighbourhoods and place whilst the Belfast Agenda’s strategic priority ‘living here’ focuses on making life better for all our residents. Further information regarding the Holyland and Wider University Area Strategic Study and its recommendations can be found on Modern.gov

1.4       Through the Learning City Interagency Group (formerly the Holyland Interagency Group), a Programme of Work has been developed to deliver short to medium term projects, that include actions to restore the physical and social integrity of the Wider University Area. 

1.5       The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update, on the work of the Learning City Interagency Group during the period 2017 / 2018 and to present the Programme of Work in relation to 2018 / 2019.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

·        Consider the contents of the report.

·        Note the progress to date in relation to the work delivered through the Learning City Interagency Group and endorse the future Programme of Work to address ongoing issues on a city wide basis.

3.0      Main report

            Key Issues

            Learning City Interagency Group Terms of Reference

3.1       In September 2016 the Learning City Interagency Group revised its Terms of Reference and Governance Model, widening its scope, to make Belfast a Learning City and address the opportunities and challenges faced by communities within new and existing university neighbourhoods across the City. A copy of the Learning City Interagency Group Terms of Reference and a list of current organisations that make up the group can be found on modern.gov

            2017 / 2018 Programme of Work

3.2       A number of agreed work streams deliver the operational plans for the Learning City Interagency Group and are captured in a Programme of Work that is overseen by the Learning City Interagency Group.

3.3       The work streams in the 2017 / 2018 were as follows:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4c

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to:

·        Provide an update in relation to the forthcoming World Health Organisation (WHO) International Healthy Cities Conference being hosted in Belfast Waterfront from     1-4 October 2018 and the WHO Healthy Cities Phase VII programme which is due to commence in January 2019.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Committee is asked to:

·        Note the contents of the report.

·        Agree that the Committee Chair and Deputy (or their nominees) attends the conference and potentially participate as chair and / or discussant in relation to the learning through practice sessions and strategic workshops.

·        Agree that Councillor Copeland, as Chair of the Age Friendly Reference Group attends the conference and participates as chair and or / discussant in the Healthy Ageing side event being held on 1 October. 

·        Note that a Committee report will be presented to SP&R Committee on 17 August 2018, providing an update in relation to the forthcoming World Health Organisation (WHO) International Healthy Cities Conference being hosted in Belfast Waterfront from 1-4 October 2018 and the WHO Healthy Cities Phase VII programme which is due to commence in January 2019.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

            WHO International Healthy Cities Conference 1-4 October 2018

3.1       In 2018, the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, celebrates its 30th year as a network and global movement. The highlight of the celebrations will be the conference, which is being hosted in Belfast Waterfront from 1 to 4 October.  

3.2       As well as celebrating 30 years of Healthy Cities as a network and a global movement, the conference will focus on the 6 themes established by the WHO European Healthy Cities Network’s Political Vision Group, which are people, place, participation, prosperity, planet and peace.

3.3       For three decades the Healthy Cities movement has been a pioneering driver of change, creating healthier urban settings that support the health and well-being of the people that use them. It has also inspired Healthy Cities Networks to grow in all other WHO regions, creating a global push for healthy cities and positioning health high on the social, economic and political agenda of city governments. As a result, city health profiles have evolved as an indispensable tool for informing citizens, policy-makers and politicians about health and also as an evidence base for city health planning.

3.4       The conference, which takes place every five years, offers cities the chance to engage with their international counterparts and benefit from the Network’s experience. The four day programme in Belfast will provide opportunities to learn from the work of Healthy Cities globally, bringing together politicians and key decision-makers, as well as technical experts. The conference will provide inspiration and insight through multiple examples of innovative ways to improve health and well-being.

3.5       Belfast Healthy Cities has taken a lead in the management and organisation of the conference. A Steering Group and Events Team have been established, together with several Committees to ensure that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

The Committee was advised that two separate requests to film had been received.  The first was from a Company called Raw Cut TV, which was seeking permission for Belfast City Council staff to participate in a BBC One Series called ‘The Defenders’. 

            The Director of City Services advised that officers had carried preliminary discussions with the producers to ascertain the aim of the programme and they had confirmed that it was to showcase the work of agencies going about their daily work.  The producers had indicated that they would be willing to sign a legal agreement with the Council to ensure adequate safeguards and to provide reassurance that the Council’s image and reputation would not be jeopardised in any way.

            A further approach had been made to the Council by Clean Slate TV, which was investigating producing a show for the BBC which would document ‘A Year in Botanic’.  This would include detail in respect of the gardens, the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine and information regarding the maintenance and effort required in order to maintain the area.

            The Committee:

·        agreed that staff from Belfast City Council could participate in a BBC One television series “The Defenders”, subject to a robust legal agreement being established between the Council and Raw Cut TV and following detailed discussions between Raw Cut TV, Environmental Health Managers, Corporate Communications and Legal Services; and

·        agreed that officers could engage with Clean Slate TV to explore the scope of any proposal that might be realized in relation ‘A year in Botanic’ and, if deemed appropriate, agreed that the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services could grant permission to proceed under delegated authority.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that a request had been received for the free use of Alexandra Park to host the North Belfast Magical Festival.  She explained that this would be the third year that the festival would take place in Alexandra Park and it had been a great success. This event was a project of the Ashton Community Trust which had, for the past fifteen years, been managed by New Lodge Arts, a voluntary arts organisation across communities in North Belfast.

            The Members were advised that this would be a family event with tickets costing £2.00 each and she outlined a brief itinerary of proposed events as follows:

·        art workshops and street performances;

·        an outdoor cinema;

·        a lantern parade, that would make its way from Cliftonpark Avenue to Alexandra Park;

·        a magical evening event that would include outdoor performances;

·        stage entertainment; and

·        a fireworks display to close the event.

            The Director advised that this year it was proposed that the two-day festival would take place on Monday 29th October from 11.30 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. and on Tuesday 30th October from 11.30 a.m. – 9.00 p.m.

            The Committee noted that the event organisers had confirmed that they would undertake to do the following in order to ensure delivery of a safe and successful event:

·        employ a security firm to safeguard participants and equipment;

·        employ reputable contractors to ensure a safe and professional event;

·        ensure that a one-way system for the park was in place;

·        ensure that local residents were informed about the event 7 days prior to the event and that there would be no inconvenience or nuisance caused to the residents on the day of the event; and

·        work with the relevant Council departments to ensure the effective management of the park and event.

            The Members also noted that, to assist with the setup, the organisers had requested that the park be closed to members of the public from 4.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. on 30th October and that only members of the public with tickets would be permitted entry from 6.00 p.m. until the event had finished.

            The Committee granted authority for the free use of Alexandra Park for the North Belfast Magical Festival on condition that the event organisers:

·          liaise with Council officers and ensure that all health and Safety requirements are met to the Council’s satisfaction, including an event management plan and risk assessments;

·          complete an appropriate legal agreement and meet all statutory requirements including entertainment and fireworks licensing; and

·          liaise with Council Parks staff.

            The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of the People and Communities Committee held on 5th December, 2017, it had agreed to write to the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to outline the Council’s support for the proposed restrictions in relation to neonicotinoids and its agreement that such restrictions should be retained following Brexit.

            The Members noted that responses had been received and that both DEFRA and DAERA had outlined that they too agreed that the existing restrictions should be retained following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.

            The Committee noted the responses received and requested that they be submitted to a future meeting of the Council’s Brexit Committee for information.

            The Committee was provided with an update in respect of the waste collection service which included a detailed update in respect of the following key areas:

·        customer call handling and management interventions; and

·        the waste collection improvement plan.

            During discussion a Member raised a number of issues in respect of the call-handling centre and it was agreed that more detailed report would be submitted to a future meeting.

            The Director informed the Committee that Mr. Jim Ferguson, Cleansing Operations Manager, was retiring from the Council in the near future.

            Several Members paid tribute to Mr. Ferguson for the significant contribution which he had made during his employment in the Council and wished him well in his retirement. 

            The Committee:

·        requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting in respect of the call handling procedures used for waste collection issues; and

·        noted that the next update would be submitted to the November meeting.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting held on 8th May, a report relating to the Council’s participation in the 2018 Pride of Place Competition and Gala Awards ceremony had been withdrawn to enable more information in respect of costs to be obtained from Co-operation Ireland.

            The Committee was asked to note that, due to the timeframe for nominations, this matter had been considered by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 22nd June.

            The Committee noted that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed to Option 2, which was, maximum participation in  the awards - five nominated groups plus Council representation.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that a request had been received from Féile an Phobail seeking permission to host the “Draìocht Children’s Festival’ at Falls Park and Falls Park Bowling Pavilion on 22nd – 26th October, from 12 noon – 2.00 p.m. daily, and Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th, from 12 noon – 9.00 p.m. daily.

            The Committee noted that the event organiser had in the past number of years hosted a number of events across various council parks.  These events aimed to promote social inclusion and the celebration of diversity by providing opportunities for the expression of Irish Culture in all its forms, encouraging interchange with other cultures and communities through traditional and modern forms of artistic expression.

            The officer reported that the proposed event would entail youth diversionary activities such as educational walks, music, storytelling, performance artists, arts and crafts workshops and a lantern procession.

            Any reinstatement work carried out as a result of the event would be paid for by the Event Organiser and a reinstatement bond of £5,000 would be required.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that a subsequent request had been received from the organisers looking for free use of the Bowling Pavilion.

            The Committee granted authority for the use of Falls Park and free use of the Pavilion for the “Draíocht Children’s Festival” on Monday 22nd October – Friday 26th October, Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th October, subject to the completion of the appropriate Event Management Plans and satisfactory terms being agreed by the Strategic Director of City and Neighbourhood Services and on the condition that the event organisers:

·        resolve all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

·        meet all statutory requirements including public liability insurance cover, health and safety, fireworks licensing and licensing responsibilities; and

consults with adjoining public bodies and local communities as necessary.

The Committee was reminded that the Celtic World Spey Casting Invitational Challenge Event had taken place at the Waterworks Park during May 2018.  This had been the third year that Belfast City Council had supported the event and it had attracted competitors from all over the world. 

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised the Members that visitors to the event had witnessed the longest ever ‘spey cast’ when a Norwegian angler had sent his line 61.5 meters across the water.  

            The Committee approved the purchase of a plaque to recognise the longest ever ‘spey cast’ and world record in spey casting that had been achieved.  The plaque would be installed in the Anglers’ Cabin at a cost not exceeding £300, which would be met from the existing revenue budget.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The Department for Social Development (now the Department for Communities) introduced the Landlord Registration Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014, which became operational on 25th February 2014.Landlords of any new tenancies created after 24th February 2014 must register with the registrar. Local Councils have the responsibility of enforcing this legislation.

1.2       The Department appointed a Landlord Registration Registrar who is in charge of the information and may disclose it, on request, to:

·        a district council to enable or assist it to carry out its legal duties;

·        the Department of Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland to help it to carry out its legal duties for rating purposes;

·        the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for the purposes of administering housing benefit and the regulation of Houses in Multiple Occupation ( HMO regulation due to be transferred in 2019)

1.3       The offence of the failure of a landlord to register carries a maximum fine on conviction of £2,500. If a landlord is found guilty of providing false information a maximum fine on conviction of £2,500 is applicable. If a landlord fails to provide evidence of registration a maximum fine on conviction of £500 can be given.

1.4       Payment of a fixed penalty will discharge any liability for prosecution. These fixed penalties which was determined by the Council were set at £500 for the offence of non-registration and providing false information, and £100 for the offence of failing to provide evidence of registration.

1.5       The Landlord Registrar has developed a protocol for sharing data with all Councils in Northern Ireland.

1.6       The purpose of this document is to ensure there is a protocol for the sharing of certain personal data collected by the Registrar in its role as Data Controller of the Landlord Registration Scheme, where that personal data is needed for the purposes of enabling or assisting a council in the exercise of its functions under any provision of the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and Article 54 ofthe Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978,  as per The Landlord Registration Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014.

1.7       The protocol sets out the following areas:

·        What data can be shared,

·        How the information is going to be exchanged

·        Timescales

·        How securely the data is to be stored

·        Breach of Confidentiality

·        Requests for Disclosure of Information subject to legislation.

·        Audit Requirement – System Access Check

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is;

·        Invited to consider and endorse the Information sharing protocol between the Landlord Registration Registrar and Belfast City Council

·        Asked to authorise the Director of City and Neighbourhood Services to sign the protocol on the Council’s behalf.

3.0       Key Issues

3.1       The protocol outlines the arrangements between the Landlord Registration Registrar and the City and Neighbourhood Services Department of Belfast City Council.

1.      The objectives of this agreement are:

2.      To establish the roles of both parties;

3.      To establish an agreed level of response and performance targets;

4.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services reminded the Committee that the Council had previously agreed to provide £200,000 to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) in the current financial year for delivery of an agreed action plan supporting the Belfast Boxing Strategy. 

            She advised that the Council had agreed a total of 37 indicators with the IABA to monitor delivery of the programmes and she confirmed that it had complied with all the reporting requirements. 

            The Committee noted that the recent recruitment of a Belfast Development Officer through this funding would also contribute to ensuring full delivery in Quarters 2, 3 and 4.

            Noted.

The Committee was reminded that, at the meeting of the People and Communities meeting held on 8th August 2017, the Committee had agreed to review the Facility Management Agreement with Sydenham Bowling Club and at this stage the key holding arrangements for the facility had reverted to the Council and the management arrangement fee had been suspended.  Since then, all usage and bookings at the facility had been staffed by a Parks Mobile Facilities Attendant.

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised that, following negotiations with the various stakeholders, the Club had agreed to comply with all reporting requirements which included financial, bowling usage and safeguarding and it wished to, once again, have key holding and all other responsibilities for bowling activities at the facility.  The Club had requested that the Council would continue to provide staffing and key holding for all non-bowling activities at the facility.

            The Committee was advised that, as there would continue to be a requirement for staffing at the site, it was proposed that the Facility Management Arrangement fee would be amended to £700.00 per calendar month.

            The Committee also noted that the Club had accumulated a significant financial surplus during the period of the Agreement and that this would be reinvested back into the facility.  A plan of works would be drawn up for the agreement of Council officers.

            The Committee agreed a variation to the Facility Management Agreement at Inverary Bowling Pavilion.

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek Members’ views on the control of dogs within parks and cemeteries and to present a phased approach to dealing with the issues around this.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to

·        Agree the proposed phased approach as outlined in this report.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Dog walkers are one of the biggest users of our parks particularly at off peak times in the morning and evening and they are also year round users in all weather conditions.

3.2       However the perception among many dog owners is that they can let their dogs off their leads in our parks to exercise and this has caused conflicts with other park users and a growing number of complaints.  Dog fouling is also an issue and some dog owners when they let their dogs off the leads are not aware of them fouling and therefore do not clean up after them. 

3.3       There has been previous attempts to deal with this issue and a dog off lead enclosure has been developed in Grove Playing Fields.  This facility is well used and there are proposals to pilot 3 further areas across the city in Falls, Orangefield and Clement Wilson Parks.

            Link to the Belfast Agenda

3.4       The control of dogs within our parks and open spaces fits under Living Here within the Belfast Agenda and feeds into the workstream ‘Maximise the benefit of our natural and built environment’.

            Dogs in cemeteries

3.5       Under the Cemeteries Rules and Regulations dogs are not permitted in cemeteries and there is some signage to this effect.  Whilst this is complied with by users in the majority of our cemeteries, as most are closed or as in Roselawn there are very few dog walkers, there is a significant issue in the City Cemetery.  Given the location of the cemetery within a built up area and adjacent to Falls Park, many local residents treat the cemetery as a park and use it to walk their dogs. As is common across all our parks, the majority of dogs are allowed off leads by owners and there is a high level of dog fouling.  Staff currently receive numerous complaints around this issue and in particular about instances of dog fouling on graves, which is a very emotive issue for the families involved. 

3.6       Cemetery staff have been in discussions with colleagues in enforcement around co-ordinated enforcement operations against dog fouling in the City Cemetery and they are currently exploring options as to how these can be undertaken.

            Proposed approach

3.7       Given the emotive nature of this issue and the number of dog walkers who use our parks, it is proposed that the following phased approach be adopted.

3.8       Phase 1

-       An education and awareness campaign is rolled out across the city, targeted at hotspots, emphasising that our parks are shared spaces and that dogs need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillor Nicholl reminded the Committee that, the Council, at its meeting held on 2nd July, agreed that the decision of the People and Communities Committee of 5th June, under the heading “Temporary Structure at Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park”, to defer consideration of the matter, had been rejected and accordingly the Council agreed to accede to the request to provide a temporary structure, subject to the terms and conditions as detailed within the report.  She requested that the Committee give consideration to the decision of the Council with a view to it requesting it to rescind and not grant permission for the installation of the temporary structure.

            Accordingly, it was,

            Moved by Councillor Nicholl,

            Seconded by Councillor McReynolds,

      That the Committee agrees that the Council be recommended rescind its decision of 2nd July, under the heading “Temporary Structure at Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park”, and accordingly agree not to grant permission to install a temporary structure on the Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park.

            On a vote by show of hands, nine Members voted for the amendment and six against and it was declared carried.